Ask Steve Dave Farm And Cow And Ranch And Tractor And Truck Related Questions

[ben ji]

Here is the pasture my dad broke out and planted Milo that only headed out at around 25%. It was great for pheasant hunting but it's why he lost money in a farming period of record high crop prices.

They harvested a small area of the field but then just left the rest. I told my dad not to bother wasting seed on the playa lakes area of the field but he didn't listen. Only 4 more years then we can get those areas into some sweet sweet CRP

(The mowed trails area is in the top right of this photo)

So my dad has been letting a local "Nate" run cattle on his pasture for free this winter and in exchange Nate is gonna use his fence post digger implement and farming skills to fence off the new dry cropland we broke out last year. (There are cattle out there now but with temp electric fences)

I met Nate twice while I was out hunting last fall and like him. My dad already bought all the posts but is a city boy now and can't put them in himself.

[ben ji]

My dad is planning on going out there next week to mark where he wants the fence strung up and I talked him into leaving a 5 acre pheasant preserve area when they run the new fence line.

[ben ji]

Once the new fence is in the cattle will be able to follow the blue line in about a 10 yard gap from the main corral/barn area out to the 130 acres of pasture along the beautiful north fork of the Solomon river.

The red line is where the new fence will go up to protect my pheasant hunting preserve.

[ben ji]

In other news I can't wait until 4 years from now when we can put those playa lakes into CRP. Apparently they have to be classified as "farmland" for 5 years before they can be enrolled in CRP. Dam government making up stupid rules before they give you money. 

[ben ji]

The second those playa lakes are eligible for CRP I will be out there fencing that crap into my personal pheasant preserve.

[steve dave]

if you are going to continue to plant that land I would strongly recommend continuing to utilize the electric fence during times cattle are on it (for free).

[ben ji]

Ben ji's dad is making it out to the farm for the first time in about 2 months...they closed I-70 due to dust storms right as he was getting in. Storm front is moving in but the dust is blowing before the rain is supposed to arrive around 10pm tonight.

[ben ji]

New plan for the farm from Ben ji's dad

"1/4 hogs produced in US are exported.  Cheaper to raise them with brewery grain.  Thinking of a farm brewery, hog, Goat operation with a bed and breakfast.  4 army helicopters parked at Oakley airport."

[ben ji]

if you are going to continue to plant that land I would strongly recommend continuing to utilize the electric fence during times cattle are on it (for free).

The electric fence/new permanent fence is to keep the cattle OUT of the new cropland. The guy my dad leased the cropland to doesn't want cows compacting the dirt down since he wants to no till farm it this spring (or something like that).

[steve dave]

if you are going to continue to plant that land I would strongly recommend continuing to utilize the electric fence during times cattle are on it (for free).

The electric fence/new permanent fence is to keep the cattle OUT of the new cropland. The guy my dad leased the cropland to doesn't want cows compacting the dirt down since he wants to no till farm it this spring (or something like that).

what are you planting that you don't want cattle stomping it? I'm by no means a farming genius but I've got enough farming genius via osmosis (yelling at me for rough ridin' up) that I am curious.

[steve dave]

Ben ji's dad is making it out to the farm for the first time in about 2 months...they closed I-70 due to dust storms right as he was getting in. Storm front is moving in but the dust is blowing before the rain is supposed to arrive around 10pm tonight.

great pic

[ben ji]

if you are going to continue to plant that land I would strongly recommend continuing to utilize the electric fence during times cattle are on it (for free).

The electric fence/new permanent fence is to keep the cattle OUT of the new cropland. The guy my dad leased the cropland to doesn't want cows compacting the dirt down since he wants to no till farm it this spring (or something like that).

what are you planting that you don't want cattle stomping it? I'm by no means a farming genius but I've got enough farming genius via osmosis (yelling at me for rough ridin' up) that I am curious.

Pretty sure it's gonna be more Milo (of a different variety that hopefully heads out this year).

The tenant wants to plant wheat on the breakout pasture but then we wouldn't get any money until a year from now so I think my dad is gonna make/request he plant 200 acres of Milo and maybe 100 acres of wheat.

[ben ji]

Ben ji's dad is making it out to the farm for the first time in about 2 months...they closed I-70 due to dust storms right as he was getting in. Storm front is moving in but the dust is blowing before the rain is supposed to arrive around 10pm tonight.

great pic

I love the isolation of the high plains and it's some beautiful looking country between Mid May-Late July (assuming no drought) but God dam does the wind and the dust make you realize why they were still giving the land away for free in the early 20th century

[ben ji]

Is my dad doing actual farm work or just cosplaying?

[meow meow]

lol

[Stupid Fitz]

after reading this thread forever, I just realized I have no idea what the hell milo is? 

[michigancat]

Is my dad doing actual farm work or just cosplaying?

benji without looking at the image have you read your previous posts about your dad's farming adventures in this thread?

[passranch]

after reading this thread forever, I just realized I have no idea what the hell milo is? 

One of the main characters in the old Bloom County comic strip.

[Spracne]

after reading this thread forever, I just realized I have no idea what the hell milo is? 

Milo is a chocolate-flavored malted chowder product produced by Nestlé, typically mixed with milk, hot water, or both, to produce a beverage. It was originally developed in Australia by Thomas Mayne in 1934. It's got vitamins (vit-uh-minz) and stuff to make your bones and muscles strong.

[Spracne]

Also, I think you can smoke it???

[ben ji]

after reading this thread forever, I just realized I have no idea what the hell milo is? 

It has like 10 names (sorghum, broomcorn etc) etc but in Western KS it's called Milo. It's a grain they feed to cows.

[steve dave]

millet

[wetwillie]

Booze Berries

[steve dave]

really good quick watch on a bull rider



we had a few bull riders work for us over the years and one was big enough that you could say his name and it'd get head turns by rodeo folks. but man it's a brutal sport. lotta headers and healers worked for us and didn't get crippled but all of the bull riders did. just a brutal undertaking.

[XocolateThundarr]

Can confirm it takes a toll on your body.  I have a new hip and reconstructed shoulder to prove it.